Concepts In Clinical Outcomes Nursing Essay

Concepts In Clinical Outcomes Nursing Essay Avedis Donabedians model presents an all-inclusive model of the relationship between variables that contribute to quality of care, healthcare costs and health status. Donabedians (1988) classical approach to the assessment of the quality of patient care within a hospitalization setting is comprised of three components, which include: structure, process, and outcome. The first two variables, structure and process, are labeled indirect variables by Dr. Tim Postema, because of their overall significance and contribution to the third variable, outcome (2005). To better understand Donabedians model, a brief overview of each variable will follow. The structural component is defined by the setting, which includes the attributes of material resources (such as facilities, equipment, and money), of human resources (such as the number and qualifications of personnel), and of organizational structure (such as medical staff organization, methods of peer review, and methods of reimbursement) (Dona bedian, 1988, pg. 1745). Examples of structural component may include but is not limited to the physical working environment itself, staffing mix and ratios of patients to nurse, and the organizational culture itself (institutional policies). The structural component of the model emphasizes characteristics of nurses involved in each patients care, certain characteristics of the patient as well as the organizational structure of the hospital in which the patient care was received (Duffy Hoskins, 2002). The second variable of consideration in Donabedians model (1988) the process component, which he defines as giving and receiving care (pg. 1745) is the specific intervention or interventions that are applied, which includes patient and provider participation. Finally, the third component of Donabedians model (1988) for assessing the quality of care is the outcome component of the model which is defined as the effects of care on the health status of patients and populations ( pg. 1745) . Now that the significant variables have been defined, a discussion of their relationship and how they apply to the assessment of patient quality of care will follow. Donabedians model attempts to explain health care quality in terms of outcomes that are measurable by the interrelationship between the structure, process and other attributable variables such as the improvement in a patients health status and satisfaction (1988). Donabedians model plays a significant role in the assessment of quality of care from the patients perception and is a high priority in the pay for performance reform that has occurred within the past decade (Wachter, Foster, Dudley, 2008), specifically from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). There is a lot of evidence to support Donabedians theory relative to the interrelationship between the process components, such as the care provided, and the outcome of the patients health leading up to their discharge from the hospital (Duffy Hoskins, 2003). Research posits that the three-part approach to the assessment of a patients quality of care is legitimately rooted in the relationship among the variables set forth by Donabedian: structure, process, and outcome (Duffy Hoskins, 2002). Donabedian proposed that good structure increases the chances of good process, and good process increases the chances of good outcomes (Donabedian, 1988, pg. 1745). Additional researchers substantiate this further in their research (Duffy Hoskins, 2002 and Postema, 2005). The findings of these researchers substantiated Donabedians framework through a variety of methodological approaches, yet were able to find the overarching correlations between factors of structure to produce positive outcome measures among patients. Thus, it can be concluded that utilization of Donabedians approach to the assessment of quality of care among hospitalized patients can assist in producing higher quality outcome measures, such as the problem facing many institutions relative to the number of medication errors. Donabedians model of structure, process, and outcome will be used to facilitate my endeavors in decreasing medication errors on the Psych-Med Unit (PMU) at St. Marys Health Care System. A detailed discussion of the appropriate variables will follow to provide a more thorough understanding of how the application of this theory will assist in the decreasing the number of medication errors Structure component Nurse characteristics The combination of higher education and years of experience in nursing improves health care outcomes, which include decreased medication errors, lower fall rates, and reducing mortality rates (Tourangeau et. al., 2006; Blegen, Vaughn Goode, 2001). Literature has identified studies that confirm that these certain nurse characteristics (higher education and experience) are related to better patient outcomes (Aiken, Clarke, Sloane, Silber, 2003; Tourangeau, Cranley Jeffs, 2006). Tourangeau et. al.s research (2006) found that more years in nursing experience has a significant and beneficial effect on patient health specifically on 30-day mortality rates in hospitals. Aiken et. al. (2003) found a statistically significant effect which postulates that with an increase in baccalaureate nurses in staffing which is associated with an increased awareness of the culture of safety, there was a decrease in mortality of patients within 30 days of admission. Nursing units with experienced nurse s had lower medication error rates (Blegen, Vaughn Goode, 2001). Patient characteristics Patient characteristics include polypharmacy and multiple diagnoses, including both medical and psychiatric diagnoses. Comorbid diagnosis are associated with the need for the patient to take more medication to manage symptoms and in turn, increases the risk of drug interactions, potential side effects and thus, the need for more medications, errors in the administration of medication, as well as difficulties with compliance upon discharge from the hospital (World Health Organization, 2011). According to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO), polypharmacy can cause an increased risk for falls, hospitalizations and confusion and/or disorientation (2008, pg. 8). Dr. Joseph Parks, a director for comprehensive psychiatric services for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, commented that, polypharmacy issues within psychiatry occur because one provider does not know what the other provider is prescribing and is a significant factor that diminishes th e overall patients quality of care based on potential side effects and adverse interactions (JACHO, 2008, pg. 9). Literature has identified that with multiple physicians prescribing medications for one patient, there is increase in chance for medication errors and thereby, diminishing the patients overall quality of care. (Tamblyn, McLeod, Abrahamowicz Laprise, 1996). This issue is reliant upon patient report, as well as doctor inquiry and thus, the burden falls upon both parties in order to ensure high quality of care. Organization characteristics The organizational structure characteristics including staffing ratios, staffing mixes, hospitals policy on medication administration and the organizational culture itself can influence the outcomes of care (Duffy Hoskins, 2003). Throughout the years numerous studies have been conducted that show that a higher registered nurse mix was related to lower mortality because that demonstrates the professionalism and integrity of registered nurses (Tourangeau et. al, 2006, pg.5). Studies have shown that an increase in nursing staff providing care resulted in decreased mortality (Tourangeau et. al., 2006), which supports the necessity of higher ratio of registered nurses mix in staffing patterns. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2008), whose mission is to improve health and healthcare for Americans, found that hospitals and health systems across the country have been working to achieve the culture of their organizations to develop supportive work environments that encourage nursing reten tion and improved quality of patient care. With a keen awareness of culture of safety often attributed to nursing professionals with higher educational degrees, there is an enhanced awareness that the safety of patients is the utmost priority and is highly valued on an organizational level. Because of the value placed on the culture of safety by health organizations and hospitals each year, staff and other health professionals need to continue to focus on improving their precision and skills utilized while caring for patients. In doing this, they become not only aware of potential medication errors, but also avenues to implement interventions to eliminate the tendency of potential risk all together (ISMP, 2006). Process component Bar code scanning As stated previously, process components is the giving and receiving of care (Donabedian, 1988). Relative to the ascribed problem outlined in this paper, the solution that has proven to improve medication administration and thus decrease medication errors is with barcode scanning systems for dosing and medication administration (ISMP, 2002). The ISMP (2002) asserts their confidence in the barcode scanning system by encouraging the use of the technology in any setting which medications are administered. The Institute of Medicine released a report in 2001 that suggested ways to use information technology to come through with a safer, more efficient way to prevent medication errors and improve healthcare quality with the automation of patient-specific clinical information (pg. 5). Medication administration errors are responsible for one-third of the errors (ISMP, 2002). According to the ISMP a bar coding and scanning system is a promising attempt at the reduction of errors in the stage of medication administration based on the accountability and accuracy of this technology (2002). At a patients bedside, bar code scanning identifies the patient, lists the medications ordered, checks for allergies or alerts for medication interactions, and electronically signs the patient record for the nurse (ISMP, 2002). Donabedians Assessment of Patient Quality Care: St. Marys Health Care System St. Marys in Grand Rapids already has this bar code scanning system. The issue on the PMU is the work arounds nursing professionals have implemented to make their medication administration easier. These work arounds are ways nurses can still administer medications without scanning the medication and/or patients identification band; despite the benefits it provides to the staff, it raises a variety of risks for the patient and puts them at greater danger for adverse medication reactions, multiple dosing, incorrect dosing, and so forth. There are other issues reported by nurses that make the work arounds essential, such as the all-too-common issues faced with the use of technology, that being technological malfunctions, limited availability despite the demand for the equipment, and sometimes merely, the time it consumes to find the equipment making the use of such technology more time consuming. As a registered nurse for over nearly 30 years, I can see that the bar code system has proven advantageous and significant in the quality of patient care based on the mere assumption that under hospital care, the utmost elite care is to be provided including medication administration. The bar code scanning procedure implementation enables nurses to look at the (medication/dosage) order, when it was last administered , the dosing, as well as if there are any potential medication interactions to be on the alert for, medication allergies, and whether there are any safety or physical maladies due to missed doses or inaccurate administration (ISMP, 2002). Finally, the technological advances provided for nursing professionals are implemented in order to better account for patient care and safety. The bar code and scanning system is computer-oriented and therefore, supplies a database and record for future use in the event there is any debate about the procedure utilized while hospitalized or even during hospitalization at an alternate hospital. Outcome component Literature has identified that there is an alliance between professional nursing care and positive health outcomes (Duffy Hoskins, 2003). Identifying ways to improve the process of medication administration can improve medication errors. Bar code scanning technology offers a productive way to avoid medications errors and increase patient safety (Begliomini, 2012). Measuring medication errors can be accomplished using many different processes; but with computer analysis of the patients information, measurement becomes much easier and more capable and feasible than error reporting or reviewing charts for purposes of accountability, prevention, and ongoing improvement of both process and clinical practice (Classen Metzger, 2003, pg. 41). In summary, the literature reinforces the idea that a decrease in patient medication errors is best accomplished by use of the bar code scanning for medication administration and therefore a responsibility for the nurse.

Treadway Tire Company Case Study

Introduction: Treadway Tire Company, a major supplier of tires in North America, is experiencing high turnover rates of foremen in their manufacturing plant in Lima, Ohio. Moral issues and dissatisfactions of line-foremen segment are infecting the entire plant. Background: Lima plant employ 970 hourly employees and 150 salaried employees . It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with four rotating shifts. Lately the plant is faced with variety of challenges due to the rising cost of raw materials. Problem: High turnover and low productivity were due to stressful work environment, lack of training, morale and hiring problems.Foremen had too many responsibilities yet lack of authority and respect. Lack of communication within the plant. Opportunities: Lama Plant has a great opportunity to enhance work environment and upgrade workers skills to increase productivity. Recommendations: Eliminate dissatisfaction by: – Reducing work hours, and offering a periodic training progr am to upgrade personal skills and knowledge required. – Guide foremen and hourly workers through different work process, so as to understand what their responsibilities are and were that fit in the companies’ overall picture. Develop better communication system between foremen, hourly workers and, managers. Then, managers should motivate foremen by showing them some respect and appreciation, allowing them more authority, and involving them in decisions regarding their subordinates. Conclusion: Considering the recommendations above Lima plant will recognize a significant decrease in foremen turnover as well as increase in morale and it could become Treadway’s number one plant for productivity and its lowest cost producer in North America.

Drugs Case For Legalizing Marijuana By Gore Vidal Case Study

What would be your solution to end drug addiction? In the essay, Drugs: Case for Legalizing Marijuana†, Gore Vidal argues his solution, to legalize all drugs along with marijuana, to end drug addiction. Marijuana along with other drugs should not be legalized because they will cause more harm than good, begin leading to drug after drug, and would forever affect the world. Drugs aren’t just bad for some people, they are bad for everyone. Vidal states â€Å"Label each drug with a precise description of what effect-good or bad- the drug will have on whoever takes it.† Each drug will have a different affect, but none of them will be good ones. Although they may seem â€Å"good† at first, the outcome in the end is something that takes time to come back†¦show more content†¦He argues that you can try them as many times as you want. I disagree, the â€Å"trying† will eventually turn into something more. And you will eventually become a drug user. E ach drug has its own extent in which if you know the extent, you shouldn’t even consider trying it. Vidal states that, â€Å"Yet it seems most unlikely that any reasonably sane person will become a drug addict if he knows in advance what addiction is going to be like.†. It doesn’t matter how sane you are, anyone could become a drug addict. Everyone hits their low spot in life and sometimes the best people fall through and turn to something, and that something could be drugs. Yes, there will be the ones who always become addicts, but it can be prevented. If drugs were legalized, it will forever affect the world. It will not only affect people now but people in the future. Vidal talks about the war on drugs and government at the end of his essay. He states that â€Å"nothing sensible will be done† and it will only get â€Å"worse†. What would only get worse is if drugs were actually legalized and people began to use them more and more. If the governm ent keeps fighting the war against drugs, a better solution will come up to end drug use and drug addiction. Eventually drugs could be belittled. Vidal mentions that â€Å"Every man, has the power (should have the power), to kill himself is he chooses.†. This is a true statement but his way of using this sentence, I disagree with. If a person is choosing to become a drug

Personal Statement on International Studies

The dominant reason behind why I’ve decided to undertake an MA in International Studies is because I see that the world is ceasing to be a localised experience for the bulk of its populous and is, instead, a global municipal which requires a unique set of skills and knowledge than has previously not been needed.   My life’s goal is to try and make a difference in the world but, in order to be truly effective in this pursuit, I must first fully understand what the world needs and how best to meet those needs.   Whilst studying for my undergraduate degree, I focused my studies on race, culture, human relations and human rights and I hope to further enhance my comprehension of these through the completion of an MA in International Studies. Culture is something which, in my opinion, has taken on an entirely new meaning in the 21st Century.   To me, culture, in international terms, involves the promotion of human advancement.   This includes the acceptance of diversity and the distribution of this knowledge with a view to strengthening international relations.   In doing this, we hold the potential to cure some of the world’s ills and begin to overcome significant global concerns including: illegal immigration, global concerns (such as terrorism) and the economy.   No longer is it possible to just be a specialist in your own culture – now it is far more crucial to be well-versed in global cultures and it is my belief that an MA in International Studies would assist me in reaching this goal. Academically, I have experienced a range of educational settings.   My High School education was carried out whilst travelling around the world (most notably, North America, China and Europe) whilst performing alongside various musicians.   It was then that my interest in global culture began pique as I was exposed to a wide spectrum of cultural experiences – experiencing them first-hand.   I am proud of my education as I was able to learn a set curriculum whilst also having additional lessons from people I met on the road; this was particularly prevalent in my study of literature as I was frequently recommended to read particular books.   I grew up whilst surrounded by interesting and intelligent college graduates who placed a strong emphasis on the pleasure of learning and so I was socialised to think in much the same way and ultimately, my pursuit of further qualifications is largely due to my love of learning for the sake of learning.   My grade point average in High School was 3.6 and I actually graduated a year early – demonstrating my commitment to excellent standards and to pushing myself harder and further than before.   I am due to complete my undergraduate degree from California State University Northridge in the fall of 2011, having majored in Humanities and Liberal Studies – minoring in Cultural Anthropology.   My grade point average has been 3.3 throughout my studies here and I have been placed on the Dean’s Honours List during my senior year. I have also proven myself to be a capable member of a workforce and I have been fortunate enough to take part in three internships with the Southern California Gas Company in the sectors of public relations, business and health and safety.   During my time at university, I have worked five days a week from 5am for the last two and a half years.   I like to think that this demonstrates my commitment to hard work and that it shows me to be capable of taking on challenges and meeting them to the best of my ability.   The fact that I have been able to complete my education (thus far) to a high ability whilst still maintaining a busy working life simultaneously, I think proves me to be capable and determined. On top of this, I have also been an active member of my university’s Anthropology Club, Water Ski Team and Volunteer Program in which I helped under-privileged High School children with their studies in Maths and Science.   I enjoyed this so much that I also worked at my local YMCA with young people.   I also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity through Sempra Energy as well as Rio Vista Elementary Saturday Academy.   For fun, I was also actively involved with the gas company’s softball team.   In my spare time, I enjoy sports such as softball, swimming, golf, football and scuba diving.   I am still a busy musician and regularly record songs I have written and crafted myself as well as still actively travelling and exploring the world. My goals are to complete a PhD following my masters and in doing this, I hope to apply my knowledge and skills to seeking plausible solutions to problems which will help to make a more cohesive world.   In carrying out an MA, I would like to advance my understanding of international relations as well as being able to critically analyse fields of international interest such as politics, culture, economics, communication and law in order to better understand what is needed and how I can provide it on the global world stage.

Science Is The Pursuit And Application Of Knowledge

The question, â€Å"What is science?† has a complicated answer. Is science doing lab experiments or sifting through layers of soil to find artifacts? Is science making observations through telescopes of the movements of heavenly bodies or discovering through microscopes the processes of cell division? Is science about explaining natural phenomena or learning about the life of a coral reef? We all know that science is all of these. But, what is science? According to the Science Council (http://www.sciencecouncil.org), â€Å"Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence.† This website further states: Scientific methodology includes the following: †¢ Objective observation: Measurement and data (possibly although not necessarily using mathematics as a tool) †¢ Evidence †¢ Experiment and/or observation as benchmarks for testing hypotheses †¢ Induction: reasoning to establish general rules or conclusions drawn from facts or examples †¢ Repetition †¢ Critical analysis †¢ Verification and testing: critical exposure to scrutiny, peer review and assessment I believe this is a very good definition of science. Science is the process of discovering the workings of the universe and everything in it by systematic study and experimentation. 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Stress Management Among Bank Employees Free Essays

string(191) " about how stress can affect you emotionally and physically, as well as how to identify if you are performing at your optimal stress level \(OSL\) or if you are experiencing negative stress\." INTRODUCTION: Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep one motivated. But excessive pressure can lead to stress, which undermines performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill. Stress is ubiquitous and has become an integral part of everyday living, an unavoidable consequence of modern living. We will write a custom essay sample on Stress Management Among Bank Employees or any similar topic only for you Order Now Stress is a condition of strain that has a direct bearing on emotions, thought process and physical conditions of a person. During the past decade, the banking sector had under gone rapid and striking changes like policy changes, increased competition due to the entrance of more private sector banks, introduction of new technologies, etc. Due to these changes, the employees in the banking sector are experiencing a high level of stress. Bank employees admit that stress is affecting their jobs, family life and health. Unpredictable economy, pressure to maintain profitability and increased responsibilities are main causes of stress. OBJECTIVES †¢ To analyze the origin and growth level of banking sector in Tirupur region To analyze the level of job stress among bank employees in Tirupur region. †¢ To analyze the contribution of over load, authority, conflict and Lack of Support from colic’s to the job stress among bank employees in Tirupur region. †¢ To analyze the importance of interventional strategies at organizational level to manage stress among bank employees. †¢ To analyze th e role of stress in interpersonal relationship †¢ To evaluate the progress, goals and success of stress management programme organized by the banks †¢ To give suitable suggestions to the banking sector to develop tressless working condition among the bank employees (1. 1) CONCEPT OF STRESS (1. 1. 1) INTRODUCTION TO STRESS A lot of research has been conducted into stress over the last hundred years. Some of the theories behind it are now settled and accepted; others are still being researched and debated. During this time, there seems to have been something approaching open warfare between competing theories and definitions: Views have been passionately held and aggressively defended. What complicates this is that intuitively we all feel that we know what stress is, as it is something we have all experienced. A definition should therefore be obvious†¦except that it is not. Definition: Hans Selye was one of the founding fathers of stress research. His view in 1956 was that â€Å"stress is not necessarily something bad – it all depends on how you take it. The stress of exhilarating, creative successful work is beneficial, while that of failure, humiliation or infection is detrimental. † Selye believed that the biochemical effects of stress would be experienced irrespective of whether the situation was positive or negative. Since then, a great deal of further research has been conducted, and ideas have moved on. Stress is now viewed as a â€Å"bad thing†, with a range of harmful biochemical and long-term effects. These effects have rarely been observed in positive situations. The most commonly accepted definition of stress (mainly attributed to Richard S Lazarus) is that, Stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that â€Å"demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize. † In short, it’s what we feel when we think we’ve lost control of events. This is the main definition used by this section of Mind Tools, although we also recognize that there is an intertwined instinctive stress response to unexpected events. The stress response inside us is therefore part instinct and part to do with the way we think. The types of stress are as follows Mechanical †¢Stress (physics), the average amount of force exerted per unit area. †¢Yield stress, the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. †¢Compressive stress, the stress applied to materials resulting in their compaction. Biological Stress (biological), physiological or psychological stress; some types include: a) Chronic stress, persistent stress which can lead to illness and mental disorder b) Eustress, positive stress that can lead to improved long-term functioning c) Workplace stress, stress caused by employment Music †¢Accent (music). †¢Stress (band), an early ’80s melodic rock band from San Diego. †¢Stress (punk band), an ear ly ’80s punk rock band from Athens. †¢Stress (Neo-Psychedelic band), from the late 1980’s. †¢Stress, a song by the French band Justice on their debut album Other Stress (game), card game †¢Stress (linguistics), phonological use of prominence in language Chronic stress Chronic stress is stress that lasts a long time or occurs frequently. Chronic stress is potentially damaging. Symptoms of chronic stress can be: †¢Upset stomach †¢Headache †¢Backache †¢Insomnia †¢Anxiety †¢Depression †¢Anger is the most severe cases it can lead to panic attacks or a panic disorder. There are a variety of methods to control chronic stress, including exercise, healthy diet, stress management, relaxation techniques, adequate rest, and relaxing hobbies. 1. 1. 2) what is Stress? Stress refers to the strain from the conflict between our external environment ands, leading to emotional and physical pressure. In our fast paced world, it is impossib le to live without stress, whether you are a student or a working adult. There is both positive and negative stress, depending on each individual’s unique perception of the tension between the two forces. Not all stress is bad. For example, positive stress, also known as eustress, can help an individual to function at optimal effectiveness and efficiency. Hence, it is evident that some form of positive stress can add more color and vibrancy to our lives. The presence of a deadline, for example, can push us to make the most of our time and produce greater efficiency. It is important to keep this in mind, as stress management refers to using stress to our advantage, and not on eradicating the presence of stress in our lives. On the other hand, negative stress can result in mental and physical strain. The individual will experience symptoms such as tensions, headaches, irritability and in extreme cases, heart palpitations. Hence, whilst some stress may be seen as a motivating force, it is important to manage stress levels so that it does not have an adverse impact on your health and relationships. Part of managing your stress levels include learning about how stress can affect you emotionally and physically, as well as how to identify if you are performing at your optimal stress level (OSL) or if you are experiencing negative stress. You read "Stress Management Among Bank Employees" in category "Papers" This knowledge will help you to identify when you need to take a break, or perhaps seek professional help. It is also your first step towards developing techniques to managing your stress levels. Modern day stresses can take the form of monetary needs, or emotional frictions. Competition at work and an increased workload can also cause greater levels of stress. How do you identify if you are suffering from excessive stress? Psychological symptoms commonly experienced include insomnia, headaches and an inability to focus. Physical symptoms take the form of heart palpitations, breathlessness, excessive sweating and stomachaches. What causes stress? There are many different causes of stress, and that which causes stress is also known as a stressor. Common lifestyle stressors include performance, threat, and bereavement stressors, to name a few. Performance stressors are triggered when an individual is placed in a situation where he feels a need to excel. This could be during performance appraisals, lunch with the boss, or giving a speech. Threat stressors are usually when the current situation poses a dangerous threat, such as an economic downturn, or from an accident. Lastly, bereavement stressors occur when there is a sense of loss such as the death of a loved one, or a prized possession. Thus, there are various stressors, and even more varied methods and techniques of dealing with stress and turning it to our advantages. In order to do so, we must learn to tell when we have crossed the line from positive to negative stress. Good stress v/s Bad stress: Stress has often been misunderstood to be negative, with few people acknowledging the importance and usefulness of positive stress. In our everyday lives, stress is everywhere and definitely unavoidable; hence our mphasis should be on differentiating between what is good stress, and what is bad. This will help us to learn to cope with negative stress, and harness the power of positive stress to help us achieve more. There are 4 main categories of stress, namely eustress, distress, hyper stress and hypo stress. Negative stress can cause many physical and psychological problems, whilst positive stres s can be very helpful for us. Here’s how we differentiate between them. Eustress: This is a positive form of stress, which prepares your mind and body for the imminent challenges that it has perceived. Eustress is a natural physical reaction by your body which increases blood flow to your muscles, resulting in a higher heart rate. Athletes before a competition or perhaps a manager before a major presentation would do well with eustress, allowing them to derive the inspiration and strength that is needed. Distress: We are familiar with this word, and know that it is a negative form of stress. This occurs when the mind and body is unable to cope with changes, and usually occurs when there are deviations from the norm. They can be categorized into acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is intense, but does not last for long. On the other hand, chronic stress persists over a long period of time. Trigger events for distress can be a change in job scope or routine that the person is unable to handle or cope with. Hyper stress: This is another form of negative stress that occurs when the individual is unable to cope with the workload. Examples include highly stressful jobs, which require longer working hours than the individual can handle. If you suspect that you are suffering from hyper stress, you are likely to have sudden emotional breakdowns over insignificant issues, the proverbial straws hat broke the camel’s back. It is important for you to recognize that your body needs a break, or you may end up with severe and chronic physical and psychological reactions. Hypo stress: Lastly, hypo stress occurs when a person has nothing to do with his time and feels constantly bored and unmotivated. This is due to an insufficient amount of stress; hence so me stress is inevitable and helpful to us. Companies should avoid having workers who experience hypo stress as this will cause productivity and mindfulness to fall. If the job scope is boring and repetitive, it would be a good idea to implement some form of job rotation so that there is always something new to learn. The types of stress are named as eustress and distress. Distress is the most commonly-referred to type of stress, having negative implications; whereas eustress is a positive form of stress, usually related to desirable events in person’s life. Both can be equally taxing on the body, and are cumulative in nature, depending on a person’s way of adapting to a change that has caused it. (1. 1. ) Coping with Stress at Work place With the rapid advancement of technology, the stresses faced at work have also increased. Many people dread going to work, hence the term â€Å"Monday Blues†. What is the reason for this? There is partly the fear from being retrenched in bedtimes, leading to greater job insecurity on the part of those who remain. Undoubtedly, occupational stress is one of the most commonly cited stressors fa ced by people all over the world. Stress refers to the pressure and reactions to our environment which results in psychological and physical reactions. Whilst some stress is good for motivation and increasing efficiency, too much stress can result in negative impacts such as reduced effectiveness and efficiency. More and more people are feeling isolated and disrespected at work, and this has led to greater occupational stress. Many companies have taken to consulting experts and professionals on ways to increase connectedness and motivation of their employees. Some companies organize parties and make their employees feel valued at work. These are measures to motivate employees and help them to feel secure at their jobs, translating into greater productivity. However, not all companies have such measures in place, and some have not gotten it quite right. Hence, it is up to you to make sure that you can cope with stress at your workplace, and use it to help you work better. Here are 3 simple steps to help you with coping with stress in the workplace. Step 1: Raising Awareness Help yourself to identify when you are facing rising levels of stress, tipping the scales from positive to negative. This is important, as being able to identify signs of being stressed can help you to take steps to ensure that your overall quality of life does not drop. If left unacknowledged, the problem will only snowball, leading to disastrous consequences to your health and overall wellbeing. You can identify if you are feeling stressed by checking if you have any physical or psychological reactions, such as excessive sweating or heart palpitations, or the onset of headaches, irritability or the need to escape. If you experience any of these reactions, identify if you are feeling any overwhelming negative emotions, and if you are constantly worried. Step 2: Identify the Cause You need to be able to analyze the situation and identify what is causing the rise in stress. These stressors can be external and internal. External stressors refer to things beyond your control, such as the environment or your colleagues at work. Internal stressors refer to your own thinking and attitude. Often, we only start reacting to stress when a combination of stressors working together exceeds our ability to cope. Keep a diary or a list of events that have caused you to feel strong negative emotions, or that are likely stressors. This will help you to identify the causes of your stress. Whilst it is not always possible to eradicate them, we can change the way that we cope with it. Step 3: Coping with Stress In order to deal with the situation that is causing you stress, you need to calm your mind and body so as to stave off the reactions and cope with it in a positive way. This can be through different methods, such as taking time off. If a situation is triggering your stress and you are unable to calm down, remove yourself from it. Go outside and take a walk to calm down. Alternatively, you can try implementing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. If it is an internal stressor, stop your thought process until you are able to deal with it logically. The key to making these 3 steps work for you is to practice them. These are not instantaneous solutions, and you need to condition your mind and practice them so that you can implement it when you are feeling stressed. (1. 1. 4) Stress Management Stress management is the need of the hour. However hard we try to go beyond a stress situation, life seems to find new ways of stressing us out and plaguing us with anxiety attacks. Moreover, be it our anxiety, mind-body exhaustion or our erring attitudes, we tend to overlook causes of stress and the conditions triggered by those. In such unsettling moments we often forget that stressors, if not escapable, are fairly manageable and treatable. Stress, either quick or constant, can induce risky body-mind disorders. Immediate disorders such as dizzy spells, anxiety attacks, tension, sleeplessness, nervousness and muscle cramps can all result in chronic health problems. They may also affect our immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems and lead individuals to habitual addictions, which are inter-linked ith stress. Like â€Å"stress reactions†, â€Å"relaxation responses† and stress management techniques are some of the body’s important built-in response systems. As relaxation response the body tries to get back balance in its homeostasis. Some hormones released during the ‘fight or flight’ situation prompt the body to replace the l ost carbohydrates and fats, and restore the energy level. The knotted nerves, tightened muscles and an exhausted mind crave for looseness. Unfortunately, today, we don’t get relaxing and soothing situations without asking. To be relaxed we have to strive to create such situations. Recognizing a stressor: It is important to recognize whether you are under stress or out of it. Many times, even if we are under the influence of a stressful condition and our body reacts to it internally as well as externally, we fail to realize that we are reacting under stress. This also happens when the causes of stress are there long enough for us to get habituated to them. The body constantly tries to tell us through symptoms such as rapid palpitation, dizzy spells, tight muscles or various body aches that something is wrong. It is important to remain attentive to such symptoms and to learn to cope with the situations. We cope better with stressful situation, when we encounter them voluntarily. In case of relocation, promotion or layoff, adventurous sports or having a baby, we tend to respond positively under stress. But, when we are compelled into such situations against our will or knowledge, more often than not, we wilt at the face of unknown and imagined threats. For instance, stress may mount when one is coerced into undertaking some work against one’s will. How to cite Stress Management Among Bank Employees, Papers

Australia and New Zealand National Bank Ltd.

Question: In your group of two maintain a portfolio of three financial news articles and critically evaluate how the financial issue in each article relates to the theory studied in class. Analyse similarities, differences between issues in the articles studied and theory learned in class and make a conclusion concerning the application of financial theory in real life for each article. You may need to do additional research to understand certain terms in the articles. Calculations are encouraged if the article contains data. Answer: Article 1 Retail Sales is nearly viewed by both the investors. Such an indicator tracks the dollar worth of stock sold inside the retail trade by taking a sample of organizations occupied with the business of providing and selling to customers especially the end products. Both settled and fixed POS businesses i.e. point of sale and non-store retailers, (for example, vending machines and mail catalogs) are utilized as a part of the data sample. On the off chance that retail sales development is slowing or stalled, this implies purchasers are not spending within the previous levels, and could flag a retreat because of the noteworthy individual consumption within the health of the economy. One of the most essential variables the investors ought to note when seeing the indicator is the manner by which far away the reported figure is from the purported agreed or street number. All in all, the stock market does not like surprises, so an assume that is higher than anticipated, actually when the econo my is murmuring along well, could trigger selling of bonds and stocks, as inflationary reasons for alarm would be esteemed higher than anticipated. Retail spending is still delicate, as the consumer confidence that is weak and fragile exceeds any kind of boost and development from falling petrol prices. The retail trade within Australia climbed 0.2% in December, which was not in accordance with the expectations of the economists yet was quite stabilized than the Novembers rise of 0.1%(AAP, 2015). The output as a result was weighed around a 0.9% decline in the spending of departmental store and a 0.4% decline in the category of household units. Rates will stay low and there will be more rate slices to come, so may lighten a percentage of the weights on household plans of the family and enhance the confidence about the standpoint. An enhancement in the confidence index of the consumers is required for retail spending so that it can leap/bound backward significantly. Retail deals sales ought to make a strong commitment to GDP development in the final quarter however if there is a reluctance for the strength extrapolation to non-retail spending given retail has been a poor manual for the recent spending of aggregate household spending. Over the December quarter, there was a rise in the retail sales by 1.5% to $69.435 billion which seemed to be seasonally balanced. Article 2 Greece lost a basic financing course as the European Central Bank confined credits to its financial system that created pressure on the 10-day-old government to yield to the austerity demands of the German to stay in the euro zone. The Euro and Greeks reduced with the explanation of ECB. The Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF of Greek stocks dove 10.4% in accordance with the trading within New York. The single cash slid 1.2 percent to $1.1345 in New York. The European Central Banks hadn't openly flagged that it should make such move as soon as possible. On Jan. 8, the national bank said it would proceed with the waiver in accordance with the supposition that there would be an audit from Greece of its bailout program that is current and at its present, which lapses on 28th Feb, and arrange another. The Greek saving money framework remains enough promoted and completely secured under Emergency Liquidity Assistance i.e. ELA. The legislature stays unfaltering on its program of social salvation and is arranging to draw up European approach "that puts an end authoritatively to the now fortifying toward self-reinforcing crisis of the Greek social economy. ELA is estimated at a yearly investment rate of 1.55% contrasted and the current refinancing rate of European Central Banks with 0.05%(Black, 2015). As Greece's lenders line up to contradict the nation's interest for an obligation rebuilding and moving back starkness, Tsipras' refusal to acknowledge more bailout advances may bring about a crunch in cash. The ECB choice "does demonstrate that the truth is going to be situated sooner or later. Tsipras and Varoufakis will have gone by seven European urban areas between them not long from now after their Syriza party's won the elections of Jan. 25 on a hostile to somberness stage. Their requests for updating the terms of Greece's bailout bundle have been met with safety and caution in Berlin and Brussels. The following move is dependent upon Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who c leared to power guaranteeing to turn around five years of spending cuts that went hand in hand with 240 billion euros ($272 billion) of bailout credits. The ECB move came hours before the Finance chief of Greek, Yanis Varoufakis, was to meet Germany's Wolfgang Schaeuble in Berlin and hours after he met ECB President Mario Draghi. Article 3 ANZ = Australia and New Zealand, NAB = National Bank Ltd. Taking after the proclamation of a 25-bps i.e. basis points cut by CBA and a 28-bps i.e. basis point cut by Westpac, NAB will bring down its standard variable home loan rate (SVR) by 25 bps focuses to 5.63%. ANZ has matched that move that left the two banks with the equivalent most minimal standard variable home loan rates among the huge four. Similarly as with CBA and Westpac, NAB's clients will need to sit tight until February 20 for the rate diminishment to take impact on their home loans. Be that as it may, ANZ clients will get lower home loan rates from Feb 12. Wholesale funding expenses have facilitated a tad bit throughout the most recent year or thereabouts and that is taken a little bit of the pressure off. The enormous four banks took 11 days overall to pass on a rate slice to variable home credit clients, yet figured out how to pass on the climb in rate in only seven days. National Australia Bank would appear to effectively have the capacity to bear the cost of the rate cu t, today reporting a $1.8 billion unaudited profit for the December quarter in its most recent update of the trade(Janda, 2015). The bank's favored measure of money income was $1.65 billion throughout the previous three months of 2014, up 6% on the former comparing period. According to NAB, income climbed 4%, but was up a more unobtrusive 2% barring different sales of the assets. Costs fell in general, yet barring one-offs, expenses expanded by around 4%. NAB is about to exit the underperforming US and UK organizations, and has recorded robust development in its key Australian market. Australian home loaning keeps on producing solid development and has now conveyed 20 back to back quarters of above development of the systems. While the change in the critical franchise of the business banking establishment will require some investment, volume development is presently around framework levels and that is decently best in class on the employing of extra business investors and bankers. Bibliography AAP, 2015. Yahoo Finance. [Online] Available at: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/retail-spending-stays-sluggish-011922315.html Black, J., 2015. Greece Loses ECB Funds, Raising Pressure to Yield to Austerity. Bloomberg, 4 February, pp. 1-3. Janda, M., 2015. ANZ, NAB pass on 25bp rate cut; NAB announces $1.8b three-month profit. ABC Business News, 5 February, pp. 1-2.